Component mounting method

ABSTRACT

A plurality of workpieces on which components are to be placed are lined up in a row and held by a workpiece holding body, and the workpiece holding body is placed on a carrier and is transported to a working position using a transport conveyor. After the workpiece holding body is chucked by a chuck portion, the workpiece holding body is separated from the carrier by linking an operation of lifting and lowering the chuck portion using a lifting-lowering mechanism and an operation of moving the carrier in a transport direction. The chuck portion which chucks the workpiece holding body is rotated by a rotation mechanism, postures of the plurality of workpieces which are held in the workpiece holding body are adjusted, and then, the components are placed on component placing parts using a placing head.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a component mounter which places components on a workpiece.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, a three-dimensionally shaped board which is referred to as a three-dimensional board or the like is known, and a component mounter which places components on a workpiece using such a three-dimensionally shaped board as the workpiece is known (for example, PTL 1 described below). In such a component mounter, the posture of the workpiece is freely changed by a posture adjustment mechanism so that the surface of the component placing part which is set on the workpiece is caused to face upward, and then the component is placed on the component placing part by a placing head.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Patent No. 5779342

SUMMARY

A component mounter of the disclosure includes a workpiece holding body which holds, lined up in a row, a plurality of workpieces on which components are to be placed, a carrier onto which the workpiece holding body is placed, a transport conveyor which transports the carrier onto which the workpiece holding body is placed, a chuck portion which chucks the workpiece holding body which is on the carrier which is transported to a predetermined position using the transport conveyor, a lifting-lowering mechanism which separates the workpiece holding body from the carrier by performing an operation of lifting and lowering the chuck portion which chucks the workpiece holding body with respect to the carrier together with an operation of moving the carrier in the transport direction using the transport conveyor, a rotation mechanism which rotates the chuck portion which chucks the workpiece holding body which is separated from the carrier to adjust postures of the plurality of workpieces which are held in workpiece holding body, and a placing head which places the components on each of the plurality of workpieces which are subjected to posture adjustment by the rotation mechanism.

A component mounting method of the disclosure for a component mounter including: a workpiece holding body which aligns and holds a plurality of workpieces on which components are to be placed; a carrier onto which the workpiece holding body is placed; a transport conveyor which transports the carrier onto which the workpiece holding body is placed; a chuck portion which chucks the workpiece holding body which is on the carrier which is transported to a predetermined position using the transport conveyor; and a placing head which places the components on each of the plurality of workpieces, the method including: separating the workpiece holding body from the carrier by performing an operation of lifting and lowering the chuck portion which chucks the workpiece holding body with respect to the carrier, and moving the carrier in the transport direction using the transport conveyor; rotating the chuck portion to adjust postures of the plurality of workpieces which are held in workpiece holding body; and placing the components on each of the plurality of workpieces which are subjected to posture adjustment.

According to the disclosure, it is possible to handle a plurality of workpieces collectively when performing the posture adjustment of the workpieces, and it is possible to improve productivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a component mounter of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective diagrams illustrating a workpiece holding body with which the component mounter is provided together with workpieces in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective diagrams illustrating the workpiece holding body with which the component mounter is provided together with a carrier in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan views illustrating the workpiece holding body with which the component mounter is provided together with the carrier in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram of a posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective diagram of the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the component mounter in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are respectively a perspective diagram and a side surface diagram illustrating the posture adjustment mechanism with which the component mounter is provided together with a transport conveyor in an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is described, a problem in the related art is briefly described. In the component mounter of the related art, since a production method is adopted in which a single posture adjustment mechanism adjusts the posture of a single workpiece to place the components, there is a problem in that productivity is low.

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a component mounter capable of handling a plurality of workpieces collectively when performing the posture adjustment of the workpieces, and capable of improving productivity.

Hereinafter, description will be given of the embodiment of the disclosure with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates component mounter 1 in an embodiment of the disclosure. Component mounter 1 is a device which places components P on workpiece 2 as a three-dimensional substrate called a three-dimensional board or the like on workpiece 2. Here, to facilitate explanation, a left-right direction of component mounter 1 as viewed from worker OP is used as an X-axis direction, and a front-back direction is used as a Y-axis direction. An up-down direction is used as a Z-axis direction.

First, description will be given of workpiece holding body 3 which holds workpiece 2, and carrier 4 on which workpiece holding body 3 is placed. In FIGS. 2A to 3B, workpiece holding body 3 is configured of a plate-shape member which extends in the left-right direction (the X-axis direction), and includes a plurality of (here, three) workpiece holding holes 3H which are provided to line up in the left-right direction. After workpiece 2 is inserted through workpiece holding holes 3H from above, workpieces 2 are fixed to workpiece holding body 3 using a plurality of screws N. In other words, in component mounter 1 in the present exemplary embodiment, workpiece holding body 3 is configured to hold a plurality of workpieces 2 in a row. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 3B, hollowed-out portions 3K are provided on the left end portion side of each of a pair of long side portions of workpiece holding bodies 3, which face each other in the Y-axis direction.

In FIGS. 3A and 3B, carrier 4 is formed in a rectangular frame shape which has three lateral side portions 4 x extending parallel to the X-axis direction and two vertical side portions 4 y extending parallel to the Y-axis direction, and includes two openings 4K which extend in the X-axis direction and are lined up in the Y-axis direction. Overhanging pieces 4 a which overhang into opening 4K are provided in each of the three lateral side portions 4 x which face each other in the Y-axis direction with openings 4K interposed therebetween.

Workpiece holding body 3 assumes a state of being placed on carrier 4 by positioning the short side portion (left short side portion 3 a) of workpiece holding body 3 on the side at which the pair of hollowed-out portions 3K are provided on the pair of overhanging pieces 4 a of carrier 4, and positioning right short side portion 3 b of workpiece holding body 3 on vertical side portion 4 y of the right side of carrier 4 (FIG. 4A). Meanwhile, if workpiece holding body 3 is shifted in the X-axis direction from this state and the pair of hollowed-out portions 3K of workpiece holding body 3 and the pair of overhanging pieces 4 a of carrier 4 are vertically aligned, workpiece holding body 3 passes through opening 4K in the up-down direction in a horizontal posture (FIG. 4B).

In FIG. 1, component mounter 1 is provided with transporter 12, a plurality of part feeders 13, component camera 14, posture adjustment mechanism 15, and component mounting mechanism 16 on table 11. Transporter 12 uses the X-axis direction as the transport direction, and is provided with three transport conveyors 21 in the transport direction. Three conveyors 21 are carry-in conveyor 21A, working conveyor 21B, and carry-out conveyor 21C from the upstream side (left side) in the transport direction.

Each conveyor 21 supports, from below, a pair of end portions which face each other in the Y-axis direction of carrier 4, and transports carrier 4 in the X-axis direction. Each part feeder 13 is configured of a tape feeder, for example, and is attached to table 11 in a freely detachable manner. Each part feeder 13 supplies components P to component supply port 13K which is provided on the side that is close to transporter 12. Component camera 14 is provided on table 11 between transporter 12 and part feeder 13 in a state in which the imaging visual field faces upward.

Posture adjustment mechanism 15 is provided under working conveyor 21B. As described later, posture adjustment mechanism 15 separates workpiece holding body 3 from carrier 4 which is transported to the working position by working conveyor 21B, and then collectively adjusts the postures of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3.

In FIG. 1, component mounting mechanism 16 includes placing head 31 and head moving mechanism 32. Placing head 31 is provided with a plurality of suction nozzles 31 a which extend downward. Placing head 31 moves (lifts and lowers) each suction nozzle 31 a in the Z-axis direction and rotates each suction nozzle 31 a around the Z axis, introduces a vacuum pressure which is supplied from a vacuum source (not illustrated), and applies vacuum suction force to the bottom end of each suction nozzle 31 a.

Head moving mechanism 32 is provided with fixed beam 32 a which extends in the Y-axis direction and movable beam 32 b which extends in the X-axis direction. Placing head 31 is moved in the X-axis direction along movable beam 32 b, and movable beam 32 b is moved in the Y-axis direction along fixed beam 32 a. Therefore, it is possible to move placing head 31 in a horizontal plane using head moving mechanism 32.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, posture adjustment mechanism 15 is provided with fixed base 41, lifting-lowering cylinder 42, lifting-lowering base 43, a plurality of guide rods 44, two chuck portions 45, rotation motor 46, and belt transmission mechanism 47. Fixed base 41 is configured of a flat plate member which extends in the horizontal plane, and is provided to be fixed to table 11 below working conveyor 21B. Lifting-lowering cylinder 42 is attached to the bottom surface side of the central portion of fixed base 41. Piston rod 42R of lifting-lowering cylinder 42 penetrates fixed base 41 from below to extend upward. Lifting-lowering base 43 is attached to the top end of piston rod 42R of lifting-lowering cylinder 42.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, lifting-lowering base 43 includes horizontal portion 43 a which extends in the horizontal plane and right and left vertical portions 43 b which extend vertically upward from the left and right end portions of horizontal portion 43 a. The plurality of guide rods 44 extend downward from the four corners of the bottom surface of horizontal portion 43 a of lifting-lowering base 43 and extend downward through fixed base 41. Each guide rod 44 slides freely in the Z-axis direction with respect to fixed base 41.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, each chuck portion 45 includes bottom portion 45 a and left and right wall portions 45 b. Bottom portion 45 a has a shape extending in the X-axis direction, and the left and right wall portions 45 b extend upward from the left and right end portions, respectively, of bottom portion 45 a.

On the left surface of left side wall portion 45 b and the right surface of right side wall portion 45 b, respectively, rotation shaft 45J is provided to extend in the X-axis direction. The right and left rotation shafts 45J extend on the same axial line (the X axis) and extend through the left and right vertical portions 43 b, respectively, in the X-axis direction. Therefore, chuck portions 45 rotate freely around the axial line of the left-right pair of rotation shafts 45J. Of the left and right rotation shafts 45J with which each chuck portion 45 is provided, rotation shaft 45J of the left side extends leftward through wall portion 45 b of the left side of lifting-lowering base 43.

A plurality of (here, two) holding body supporters 45 c are provided to extend upward in an intermediate portion in the left-right direction of bottom portion 45 a of chuck portion 45. A plurality of suction openings 45 h are provided on the top surface of each holding body supporter 45 c. It is possible to generate a vacuum suction force in the plurality of suction openings 45 h through chuck control mechanism 48 (FIG. 5), and so it is possible to chuck (suction hold) workpiece holding body 3, which holds the plurality of workpieces 2, from below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, two chuck portions 45 are provided to line up in the Y-axis direction, and each chuck portion 45 is configured to chuck two workpiece holding bodies 3 which hold a plurality of workpieces 2 which are lined up in a row in the X-axis direction. In other words, in the present exemplary embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which two (that is, a plurality of) chuck portions 45 are provided on lifting-lowering base 43 to line up in the horizontal direction (the Y-axis direction) which is orthogonal to the lining up direction (the X-axis direction) of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3 which is chucked by chuck portion 45.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, rotation motor 46 is attached to the bottom surface side of horizontal portion 43 a of lifting-lowering base 43 with drive shaft 46S facing to the left. Drive shaft 46S protrudes and extends to the left side of vertical portion 43 b of the left side of lifting-lowering base 43.

In FIG. 6, belt transmission mechanism 47 is provided with drive pulley 51, two follower pulleys 52, tension roller 53, and transmission belt 54. Drive pulley 51 is attached to drive shaft 46S of rotation motor 46. Two follower pulleys 52 are attached to corresponding two rotation shafts 45J which protrude and extend leftward from vertical portion 43 b of the left side of lifting-lowering base 43. Tension roller 53 is provided to protrude and extend leftward from the left surface side of vertical portion 43 b of the left side of lifting-lowering base 43. Transmission belt 54 is wound around drive pulley 51, two follower pulleys 52, and tension roller 53. A suitable degree of tension is applied to transmission belt 54 by tension roller 53.

When rotation motor 46 operates and drive pulley 51 is rotationally driven by drive shaft 46S, the rotational motive force of drive pulley 51 is transmitted to two follower pulleys 52 by transmission belt 54. Accordingly, two front and rear chuck portions 45 are rotated around the axial line (the X axis) of the corresponding rotation shaft 45J through two rotation shafts 45J which are connected to two follower pulleys 52. In other words, in the present exemplary embodiment, rotation motor 46, belt transmission mechanism 47, and the like configure a rotation mechanism RS which rotates two chuck portions 45 around the axial lines which extend in the lining up direction (the X-axis direction) of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3 (FIG. 5).

When piston rod 42R is driven by lifting-lowering cylinder 42, lifting-lowering base 43 which is attached to piston rod 42R is lifted and lowered with respect to fixed base 41 in a state of being guided by the plurality of guide rods 44. In other words, lifting-lowering cylinder 42, lifting-lowering base 43, and the like configure lifting-lowering mechanism LS which lifts and lowers two front and rear chuck portions 45 together with rotation mechanism RS (FIG. 5).

In FIG. 7, control device 60 of component mounter 1 controls transportation of carrier 4 by transport conveyor 21 (carry-in conveyor 21A, working conveyor 21B, and carry-out conveyor 21C), supplying of components P by part feeder 13, lifting, lowering, and rotation of each suction nozzle 31 a by placing head 31, suction by each suction nozzle 31 a, moving of placing head 31 by head moving mechanism 32, and imaging by component camera 14. Control device 60 controls the lifting and lowering of lifting-lowering base 43 by lifting-lowering cylinder 42, the rotation of two chuck portions 45 by rotation motor 46, and the chucking of each chuck portion 45 by chuck control mechanism 48.

Next, description will be given of an execution procedure of a component placing operation in which the posture of a plurality of workpieces 2 is adjusted to mount components P on each workpiece 2 using component mounter 1. In the component placing operation, first, carrier 4 is supplied to carry-in transporter 21A of transporter 12 in a state in which two workpiece holding bodies 3, each of which holds a plurality of (here, three) workpieces 2, are placed on carrier 4 (FIG. 8A). In this state, carrier 4 is not positioned above posture adjustment mechanism 15 (FIG. 8B).

Once carrier 4 is supplied to carry-in conveyor 21A, control device 60 operates carry-in conveyor 21A to deliver carrier 4 to working conveyor 21B. Work conveyor 21B is operated and carrier 4 is positioned at a predetermined working position (FIG. 9A). When carrier 4 is positioned at the working position, two workpiece holding bodies 3 which are placed on carrier 4 assume a state of being positioned above two chuck portions 45 (FIG. 9B).

Once a state is achieved in which carrier 4 is positioned at the working position and two workpiece holding bodies 3 which are placed on carrier 4 are positioned above two chuck portions 45, control device 60 lifts lifting-lowering base 43 using lifting-lowering cylinder 42. Then it causes the top surfaces of each of the plurality of holding body supporters 45 c with which each chuck portion 45 is provided to come into contact with workpiece holding body 3 that is positioned thereabove from below. Once the top surface of the plurality of holding body supporters 45 c comes into contact with workpiece holding body 3 and supports workpiece holding body 3, control device 60 controls chuck control mechanism 48 to generate a vacuum suction force in suction openings 45 h which are provided in each holding body supporter 45 c and to cause chuck portion 45 to chuck workpiece holding body 3 (FIGS. 10A and 10B).

Once two chuck portions 45 chuck two workpiece holding bodies 3, control device 60 lifts lifting-lowering base 43 using lifting-lowering cylinder 42, lifts two workpiece holding bodies 3 using two chuck portions 45, and causes two workpiece holding bodies 3 to separate from carrier 4 (FIGS. 11A and 11B). Once two workpiece holding bodies 3 separate from carrier 4, control device 60 operates working conveyor 21B to move carrier 4 slightly in the X-axis direction (FIGS. 12A and 12B). At this time, the direction in which carrier 4 is moved using working conveyor 21B is a direction (the direction from FIG. 4A to 4B) in which each workpiece holding body 3 passes under opening 4K of carrier 4.

Once carrier 4 is moved in the X-axis direction using working conveyor 21B, control device 60 lowers lifting-lowering base 43 using lifting-lowering cylinder 42, two workpiece holding bodies 3 which are chucked using two chuck portions 45 pass through opening 4K of carrier 4 from above carrier 4 to under carrier 4. All of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in two workpiece holding bodies 3 are positioned under carrier 4 (FIGS. 13A and 13B). Accordingly, two workpiece holding bodies 3 assume a state of being separated from carrier 4.

In the separation operation between workpiece holding body 3 and carrier 4, lifting-lowering mechanism LS separates carrier 4 from workpiece holding body 3 by performing an operation of lifting and lowering chuck portion 45 which chucks workpiece holding body 3 with respect to carrier 4 together with an operation of moving carrier 4 in the transport direction (the X-axis direction) using transport conveyor 21 (specifically, working conveyor 21B).

In this manner, in component mounter 1 in the present exemplary embodiment, carrier 4 is configured in a frame shape including openings 4K in inner portion of carrier 4, and workpiece holding body 3 is separated from carrier 4 by being caused to pass under openings 4K by being transported to the predetermined working position using transport conveyor 21 in a state of being placed on carrier 4 at a position at which workpiece holding body 3 does not fall from openings 4K of carrier 4, in other words, avoids openings 4K of carrier 4, and through the linked operation of the lifting and lowering of chuck portion 45 by lifting-lowering mechanism LS and the movement of carrier 4 in the transport direction (the X-axis direction) by transport conveyor 21.

Once two workpiece holding bodies 3 are separated from carrier 4, control device 60 operates working conveyor 21B to deliver carrier 4 to carry-out conveyor 21C. Once carrier 4 is delivered to carry-out conveyor 21C, carrier 4 waits above carry-out conveyor 21C (FIGS. 14A and 14B). Here, carrier 4 which is separated from workpiece holding body 3 is delivered from working conveyor 21B to carry-out conveyor 21C; however, carrier 4 may be delivered from working conveyor 21B to carry-in conveyor 21A.

Once carrier 4 is delivered to carry-out conveyor 21C, control device 60 lifts lifting-lowering base 43 using lifting-lowering cylinder 42 (FIGS. 15A and 15B). The postures of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held by two workpiece holding bodies 3 are collectively adjusted by operating rotation motor 46 to rotationally drive drive pulley 51 using drive shaft 46S, and causing two chuck portions 45 to rotate around the axial lines of rotation shafts 45J at the same time, in the same direction, at the same angle through belt transmission mechanism 47 (FIGS. 16A and 16B. Here, chuck portion 45 is rotated such that the surface of component placing part 2R faces upward (assumes a horizontal posture). Each workpiece 2 is attached to workpiece holding body 3 such that the surface of component placing part 2R faces upward due to the turning operation of chuck portion 45.

As described above, in component mounter 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the rotational motive force which is output by one motor (rotation motor 46) is transmitted by transmission belt 54 to rotate the plurality of chuck portions 45 in the same direction at the same angle. Rotation mechanism RS including rotation motor 46 causes chuck portion 45 which chucks workpiece holding body 3 to rotate around the axial line (the X axis) extending in the lining up direction of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3, and the postures of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3 which is separated from carrier 4 are collectively adjusted.

In component mounter 1 in the present exemplary embodiment, (1) workpiece holding body 3 which holds the plurality of workpieces 2 lined up in a row in the X-axis direction is placed on carrier 4 and transported to a predetermined position (the working position) by transport conveyor 21 (2). Transported workpiece holding body 3 which is on carrier 4 is chucked by chuck portion 45, and then, (3) chuck portion 45 is lifted and lowered with respect to carrier 4 using lifting-lowering mechanism LS and moves carrier 4 in the transport direction (the X-axis direction) using transport conveyor 21. By these operations, workpiece holding body 3 is separated from carrier 4. (4) By rotating chuck portion 45 which chucks workpiece holding body 3 around the axial line (the X axis) which extends in the lining up direction of the plurality of workpieces 2 using rotation mechanism RS, the postures of the plurality of workpieces 2 are collectively adjusted.

After collectively adjusting the postures of the plurality of workpieces 2, control device 60 lifts and lowers lifting-lowering base 43 using lifting-lowering cylinder 42, and ensures that each component placing part 2R of the plurality of workpieces 2 is matched with the placing height at which components P are placed by suction nozzles 31 a (FIGS. 17A and 17B). As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of workpieces 2 with adjusted postures are collectively positioned at a predetermined height (the placing height) using the lifting and lowering (that is, the lifting and lowering of chuck portions 45) operation of lifting-lowering base 43 by lifting-lowering mechanism LS.

In posture adjustment mechanism 15 with which component mounter 1 in the present exemplary embodiment is provided, the part at which it is possible to perform the posture adjustment in workpiece 2 is limited; however, since posture adjustment mechanism 15 is to be configured such that the surface of component placing part 2R on which components P are to be placed faces a predetermined direction (for example, upward). Therefore, in a case in which component placing part 2R is one location for one workpiece 2, this is cost effective in manufacturing due to the simplification in the configuration of posture adjustment mechanism 15.

Once the postures of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3 are collectively adjusted, control device 60 operates part feeder 13 to supply components P to component supply port 13K, and moves placing head 31 above part feeder 13 using head moving mechanism 32. Components P are sucked by each of the plurality of suction nozzles 31 a with which placing head 31 is provided.

Once components P are sucked by each of the plurality of suction nozzles 31 a, control device 60 moves placing head 31 using head moving mechanism 32, and ensures that the plurality of components P which are sucked by suction nozzle 31 a sequentially pass over component camera 14. Once component camera 14 recognizes each component P which passes thereover, control device 60 moves placing head 31 above working conveyor 21B using head moving mechanism 32, and positions component P above component placing part 2R of workpiece 2 which is subjected to posture adjustment by posture adjustment mechanism 15 (FIGS. 18A and 18B).

Once component P is positioned above component placing part 2R, control device 60 lowers suction nozzle 31 a and places component P on component placing part 2R. In the present exemplary embodiment, since the postures of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3 are collectively adjusted, the interval between the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3 is set to match the interval between the plurality of suction nozzles 31 a, and so it is possible to collectively (or alternatively, sequentially) place components P with respect to the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding body 3.

Control device 60 causes placing head 31 to reciprocate between the upper position of working conveyor 21B and part feeder 13 to place components P on all workpieces 2 which are subjected to posture adjustment by posture adjustment mechanism 15. Once components P are placed on all workpieces 2, control device 60 operates posture adjustment mechanism 15 and transport conveyor 21 in the reverse order from that in the above-described procedure, and places two workpiece holding bodies 3 on carrier 4 which is positioned at the working position. Once two workpiece holding bodies 3 are placed on carrier 4, control device 60 operates working conveyor 21B to deliver carrier 4 to carry-out conveyor 21C, and next operates carry-out conveyor 21C to carry out carrier 4 to the outside of component mounter 1. Accordingly, the component placing operation with respect to the plurality of workpieces 2 for one carrier 4 (for two workpiece holding bodies 3) is completed.

As described above, in component mounter 1 in the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of workpieces 2 are lined up in a row and held by workpiece holding body 3, workpiece holding body 3 which holds the plurality of workpieces 2 is placed on carrier 4 and transported to the working position by transport conveyor 21, subsequently, workpiece holding body 3 is chucked by chuck portion 45, and workpiece holding body 3 is separated from carrier 4 by linking an operation of lifting and lowering chuck portion 45 using lifting-lowering mechanism LS and an operation of transporting carrier 4 using transport conveyor 21. Chuck portion 45 which chucks work holding body 3 which is separated from carrier 4 is rotated by rotation mechanism RS, and the posture adjustment of the plurality of workpieces 2 is performed at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to handle the plurality of workpieces 2 collectively when performing the posture adjustment of workpieces 2, and it is possible to improve productivity.

Although the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, in the above-described exemplary embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which chuck portion 45 is rotated only around one axial line (an axial line extending in the lining up direction of the plurality of workpieces 2 which are held in workpiece holding member 3, the X axis); however, a configuration may also be adopted in which chuck portion 45 is rotated around an axial line (the Y axis) which is orthogonal to the axial line in a horizontal plane.

The shapes of carrier 4 and workpiece holding body 3 and the procedure for separating workpiece holding body 3 from carrier 4 are not limited to those depicted in the above-described exemplary embodiment, and a configuration may be adopted in which work holding body 3 is separated from carrier 4 by performing an operation of lifting and lowering chuck portion 45 which chucks workpiece holding body 3 with respect to carrier 4 in conjunction with an operation of moving carrier 4 in the transport direction using transport conveyor 21.

It is possible to provide a component mounter capable of handling a plurality of workpieces collectively when performing posture adjustment of the workpieces, and capable of improving productivity. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A component mounting method for a component mounter including: a workpiece holding body which aligns and holds a plurality of workpieces on which components are to be placed; a carrier onto which the workpiece holding body is placed; a transport conveyor which transports the carrier onto which the workpiece holding body is placed; a chuck portion which chucks the workpiece holding body which is on the carrier which is transported to a predetermined position using the transport conveyor; and a placing head which places the components on each of the plurality of workpieces, the method comprising: separating the workpiece holding body from the carrier by performing an operation of lifting and lowering the chuck portion which chucks the workpiece holding body with respect to the carrier, and moving the carrier in the transport direction using the transport conveyor; rotating the chuck portion to adjust postures of the plurality of workpieces which are held in workpiece holding body; and placing the components on each of the plurality of workpieces which are subjected to posture adjustment. 